Page:Songs, Legends, and Ballads.djvu/61

Rh He comes! the Pharaoh's god! fling wide the door—
 * Welcome, Osiris! See—thine old prescription

Is honored here; and thou shalt drink once more
 * With men whose treasured ensign is Egyptian.

A toast! a toast! our guest shall give a toast!
 * By Nilus' flood, we pray thee, god, inspire us!

He smiles—he wills—let not a word be lost—
 * His hand upon the cup, he speaks:—

"Papyrus! "I greet ye! and mine ancient nation shares
 * In greeting fair from Ammon, Ptah, and Isis,

Whose leaf ye love—dead Egypt's leaf, that bears
 * Our tale of pride from Cheops to Cambyses.

"We gods of Egypt, who are wise with age—
 * Five thousand years have washed us clean of passion—

A golden era for this board presage.
 * While ye do keep this cup in priestly fashion.